Just like any other major operations in the business logistics industry, parcel services have also been booming for years. The major contributor to their glorious success is the e-commerce sector. Since the e-commerce sector started to spread its wings, the packaging service also made hay during the sun shined.
These statistics were prepared with the collaboration of McKinsey & Company. Here you can clearly see the demand for materials used in packaging services and how much they were estimated to grow in the year 2022.
However, with a flourishing business, the responsibility for making the operations sustainable, and this environment a better place. By carrying out eco-friendly practices, packaging services can certainly make a huge contribution to the betterment of this planet.
That said, in this write-up, we will discuss some eco-friendly tech-driven practices that industry players can practice in their firms to contribute to the global economy of parcel deliveries as well as a better environment…
Back in the day, the majority of packaging was done in plastic bags. If not plastic bags, then the containers and tumblers made of plastics were taken into use. Still, in the current situation, its degree of usage is noticeable.
However, luckily with the rising awareness in people’s minds, and industries getting mature, these items are getting replaced with paper.
Paper has turned out to be a way more healthy and better alternative. It can decompose in nature over time, and the carbon emission made during its production is way less than the production of plastic.
Be it packaging for large goods, fast foods, or technology pieces like mobile phones, laptops, etc. Everywhere, companies are realizing the bad impact of plastic and therefore replacing it with sustainable alternatives.
Another major competitor to this hazardous artificial element is aluminum. Aluminum is a versatile and eco-friendly metal that can be reused and recycled over time.
After packaging, delivery vehicles are the next big concern in worsening the environment. Below is the data from the World Economic Forum that shows the possible rise in delivery vehicles, emissions, and congestion by the year 2030 in the top 100 cities globally.
However, the bad aspects of these statistics can be removed or reduced to a certain extent if the companies realize the importance of electric vehicles. According to several news sources, big delivery giants like Amazon Prime, FedEx, UPS, etc. are integrating electric vehicles into their daily use to make an impact.
Electric trucks, bikes, cycles, or even drones are used in making deliveries. Not just EVs, but hybrid vehicles can also help with the purpose. In the end, the vital aspect is the transition from traditional to modernism.
As the name suggests, the last mile is the phase when the package is finally delivered to the end consumer. This is often considered the final part of the whole supply chain. At this stage, various small vehicles and modes of transportation are taken into use.
For instance, you might have seen some people delivering packages via cycles, bikes, and even mini trucks. These all are at the last-mile delivery stage. For better and more eco-friendly ways to carry out operations, you can consider the following points:
These basic yet effective strategies are a must that a business should adopt. Note this point in mind that businesses that are responsible towards nature are appreciated over time, which also results in better goodwill for your brand.
Some noteworthy examples of businesses that use innovative last-mile strategies are Amazon’s utilization of electric bikes in New York City and DHL’s deployment of electric vans in Germany, which underscore the successful implementation of these innovative approaches.
Interesting Facts
One interesting and positive report about the green packaging market was published in recent years. The report showed the estimated growth of the green packaging market in 2025, compared to the year of 2019.
In this graph, you can see the growth of the industry with an impressive number of 246 billions USD.
The world is evolving, and so are the work schedules of the industries involved in daily trade. From eco-friendly packaging materials to innovative last-mile strategies, various steps are being taken in order to make this world a better place. Modern technology is playing a significant role in making these efforts successful.
From drones to innovative materials used in packaging, these all efforts ultimately contributed to a thriving market. As a venture capitalist or as an industrialist, making your firm or venture responsible towards the environment is a good sign and will finally make your goodwill much stronger among society.
Amazon, UPS, FedEx, DHL, etc. are the major examples of such businesses that might inspire you.
